No Start, No Power Draw

[TwistedD85]

1993 ATX
Has power.
Won't start.
Won't even turn over.
But doesn't draw amperage like it usually does with a bad starter.

For a few weeks now I've had problems with the car starting, only a little struggling at first and then it starts right up. Even when it was at it's worst and almost nothing happened while holding the key on for two or three seconds it'd still start at the very last rev, very strongly I might add. Now suddenly it just won't start. I turn the key to the "on" position and everything lights up, the pump primes. But then I try to start it and the lights won't even dim, not a sound from the starter. No clicks, no labored revs from the starter motor, no power draw what so ever. I thought it might've been the corroded positive battery cable (which I'm replacing as soon as it gets here from RockAuto) from the failure of the last battery, but there's no change even after I cleaned it up. It's totally different than what I'm used to when a starter fails, usually it sucked all the amperage and it'll smelled of ozone, so I'm assuming/hoping it's not the starter this time? Maybe something between it and battery? I'm stumped, it's stuck at work and I need to get it back home, anything well help. :thankyou:

 

[jlunde15]

don't know if this will help you or not, but I was having starting issues for a while...difference is: I would get a constant "tick" almost as if the battery was too low.

1) check ALL connections on starter solenoid... I mean all, pos bat to starter sol. and pos to underhood fuse block; ground to block (on top post that holds starter between the two nuts.); and the one that should never be touched, IIRC this wire runs from starter to solenoid.

2) buy an MTX, and learn to pop the clutch.

1993 ATX
Has power.
Won't start.
Won't even turn over.
But doesn't draw amperage like it usually does with a bad starter.

For a few weeks now I've had problems with the car starting, only a little struggling at first and then it starts right up. Even when it was at it's worst and almost nothing happened while holding the key on for two or three seconds it'd still start at the very last rev, very strongly I might add. Now suddenly it just won't start. I turn the key to the "on" position and everything lights up, the pump primes. But then I try to start it and the lights won't even dim, not a sound from the starter. No clicks, no labored revs from the starter motor, no power draw what so ever. I thought it might've been the corroded positive battery cable (which I'm replacing as soon as it gets here from RockAuto) from the failure of the last battery, but there's no change even after I cleaned it up. It's totally different than what I'm used to when a starter fails, usually it sucked all the amperage and it'll smelled of ozone, so I'm assuming/hoping it's not the starter this time? Maybe something between it and battery? I'm stumped, it's stuck at work and I need to get it back home, anything well help. :thankyou:

 

[TwistedD85]

I'm going to try and go off of this thread http://www.shoforum.com/showthread.php?t=12685&highlight=starter+solenoid+location in the meantime. If anyone has anything they can ad, or if Hunter can remember what it was it'd be nice :thankyou:

 

[TwistedD85]

Not the positive cable, I know that now. I assume it has to be the solenoid, has security torx on it though, ffffuuuu. New starter then I guess.

 

[ShadetreeSHOguy]

Can you see if you can jump the solenoid and get the starter to kick over? it does sound like the solenoid though

 

[TwistedD85]

How would I go about that? The most I know how to do is the "hit the starter with a hammer and it might work again" method

 

[SHOspazz92]

Are all the cables/wires connected to the starter? My wifes SHO likes to un hook one of the wires on the starter by itself from time to time, causing it not to turn over or anything.

-Sam

 

[TwistedD85]

Nah, I had actually replaced the really badly corroded positive cable with a new one, everything's nice, snug, and where it should be for the most part. I'm gonna have to reroute the cable, but for now it's been ruled out.

 

[theboneskes]

I had a similar problem a few years ago....I had a full charge, and everything worked but would not turn over or anything...Chech the ground cable going from the motor to the frame! and the one on the battery too... Thats what fixed my issue...

 

[jlunde15]

How would I go about that? The most I know how to do is the "hit the starter with a hammer and it might work again" method

get under the car, find the two posts on the starter solenoid, on a 93, should be on top of the starter (all in one unit).


M A K E S U R E T H E C A R I S I N P A R K / N E U T R A L ! ! !


Grab a screwdriver (or amp wire, or something conductive) and connect the two terminals. If the starter engages, your solenoid is bad. That means new starter.

 

[TwistedD85]

Thanks everybody! :thankyou: I think it was the solenoid, when I replaced the starter it fired right up, even better than the last starter, so I'm always buying new over refurb now. So whatever it was it was in the starter... thing, whatever they want to call those unserviceable lumps now. Even better news is it has a lifetime warranty, I'm set